Competitive Examinations

Numerous competitive exams in India are conducted for entrance into undergraduate and post graduate professional courses as well as for securing services in the government. The test formats and subjects vary according to the level of the test. Most are objective tests, followed by a personality test, and are conducted in various venues at centers across the country. Competitive exams are tough, with lakhs of aspirants appearing for a limited number of seats.

Public sector and government services

Leading Public sector banks conduct a test for entry as Probationary Officers. The number of vacancies depends on the banks. It is an aptitude test with candidates tested on verbal and quantitative skills, followed by a group discussion and an interview. Various Competitive exams are listed below:

Exams conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)

The UPSC (Union Public Services Commission) conducts dozens of exams each year for entry into central government services, combined Medical and Engineering services, Economic service and the Indian Forests services.

SSC Competitive Exams in India

Given below is a list of SSC Competitive Exams in India:

Accountants and Auditors Recruitment Exam
Assistants Grade Exam
Combined Graduate Preliminary Exam
Clerks Grade Exam
Divisional Accountants /Auditors/UDC Exam
Combined Matric Preliminary Exam
Central Police Organization SI Exam
Income Tax/ Excise Inspectors, etc. Exam
L.I.C/ G.I.C. Competitive Exams in India

Given below is a list of the LIC/GIC competitive exams in India:

G.I.C Officers’ Exam
L.I.C Officers’ Exam
G.I.C. Assistants Exam
L.I.C Development Officers’ Exam

Bank Competitive Exams in India

Following is a list of the bank competitive exams in India:
Nationalised Banks Probationary Officers’ Exam
State Bank Of India Probationary Officers’ Exam
Reserve Bank Officers’ Grade ‘A’ / ‘B’ Exam
Bank Clerical Exam

Eligibility and reservation criterion for Competitive exams

The eligibility and reservation criteria for competitive exams in India vary according to the type of the exam.

Eligibility

Minimum age, minimum qualifying marks and degrees from recognized Indian Universities are the criteria for eligibility. Those who are awaiting results for the minimum qualification are also eligible provided they furnish proof of their eligibility in a time period notified by the councils or the institutions conducting the test.
For Civil services the age limit is from 21-30 years, as on 1st August of the year of the test. Minimum qualification is graduation. For IAS and IPS only Indian nationals are eligible. For the rest of the services, PIOs from South East Asian countries are eligible. Four attempts at the CSE are permitted to general category candidates.

Reservation

According to the government of India rules, 27% of the seats are reserved for OBCs (other backward classes), 15% for SC (scheduled tribes), 7.5% for ST (Scheduled tribes) and 3% for DA (differently abled or people with disability), in all tests conducted by the UPSC, UGC and in Central Government aided Institutions. However the class, caste and tribe must be mentioned in a list, amended from time to time, prepared by the Central Government.